Lakewood, WA vs Tukwila, WA

Lakewood is moderately more affordable than Tukwila, with a 10.1% lower cost of living index. Lakewood scores 118 compared to 132 for Tukwila, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Tukwila can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lakewood is $1,460/month compared to $1,786/month in Tukwila — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakewood is more affordable at $420,500 median vs $462,800.

Median household income in Lakewood is $70,524 compared to $80,534 in Tukwila (-12.4%). While Tukwila is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakewood spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, less than the 26.6% in Tukwila.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 53.7°F). Lakewood receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 39.3" in Tukwila.